The Hunters: The Precarious Lives of New Zealand's Birds of Prey

Description

Hovering hawks, swooping falcons and softly calling morepork. A close look at the predatory birds of New Zealand - many of them endangered. From an extinct giant eagle and an owl that sounded like the devil, to the morepork we hear calling at night, the falcon that appears on our $20 note and the hawks we see swooping on the grisly remains of dead critters on the road, this book takes a close look at these fascinating birds and the people who are working to keep the species that are still with us safe. Filled with facts and great stories of rescued birds being nursed back to health, this book also has many amazing close-up photographs. Find out about the ancient art of falconry, how damaged feathers critical for flying can be replaced with temporary ones, how you can help an injured bird, and how birds can be released back into the wild.

Debbie Stewart MNZM is the Executive Director of the Wingspan Birds of Prey Centre in Rotorua, New Zealand. She is a conservation pioneer, having cared for native kiwi in the gin-trapping days of the 1970s. She has worked with falcons for the last 35 years, and uses falconry techniques to train rescued birds to hunt in the wild again.